The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 4 eBook

of learning, without courage, and without much wealth,
thou seekest such fame as is won by knowledge and prowess
and gifts. Verily, it is for this that thou hast
been pale and lean. Thou hast not been able to
acquire something upon which thou hast set thy heart
for a long time. Or, that which thou seekest to
do is sought to be undone by somebody else. It
is for this that thou art pale and lean. Verily,
without being able to see any fault on thy part, thou
hast been cursed by somebody. It is for this
that thou art pale and lean.[538] Destitute of both
wealth and accomplishments thou seekest in vain to
dispel the grief of thy friends and the sorrows of
sorrowing men. It is for this that thou art pale
and lean. Beholding righteous persons the domestic
mode of life, unrighteous persons living according
to the forest mode, and emancipated persons attached
to domesticity and fixed abodes, thou hast become
pale and lean. Verily, thy acts connected with
Righteousness, with Wealth, and with Pleasure, as also
the well-timed words spoken by thee, do not bear fruit.
It is for this that thou art pale and lean. Though
endued with wisdom, yet desirous of living, thou livest
with wealth obtained by thee in gift from somebody
of evil conduct. It is for this that thou art
pale and lean. Beholding unrighteousness increasing
on every side and righteousness languishing, thou
art filled with grief. It is for this that thou
art pale and lean. Urged by time thou seekest
to please all thy friends even when they are disputing
and ranged on sides opposite to one another. It
is for this that thou art pale and lean. Beholding
persons possessed of Vedic lore engaged in improper
acts, and persons of learning unable to keep their
senses under control, thou art filled with grief.
It is for this that thou art pale and lean.’
Thus praised, the Rakshasa worshipped that learned
Brahmana in return, and making him his friend and bestowing
sufficient wealth upon him in gift, let him off (without
devouring him).’”

SECTION CXXV

“Yudhishthira said, ’Tell me, O grandsire,
how a poor man, desirous of achieving his own good,
should bear himself after having acquired the status
of humanity and come into this region of acts that
is so difficult to attain. Tell me also what
is the best of all gifts, and what should be given
under what circumstances. Tell me, O son of Ganga,
who art truly deserving of honour and worship.
It behoveth thee to discourse to us on these mysteries.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ’Thus questioned
by that famous monarch, viz., the son of Pandu,
Bhishma explained (in these words) unto that king these
high mysteries appertaining to duty.’